This post is written in collaboration with Legrand. All opinions are my own.

The year is winding down and our third baby is due in a matter of weeks, so we are definitely slowing down over here. Less house projects, more time actually enjoying our home. Less busy activities, and more time for reading, baking, and cuddling on the couch. It's been quite nice! It worked out well to be pregnant at this time of year, when the weather is giving me cues to slow down and relax, while my body is absolutely demanding it. I'm usually antsy to DO something, to move on to the next project, and to get something productive done during every free moment. But right now (for once!) I am doing less and enjoying it.

Of course, that's not to say that we're totally sitting still! We're still squeezing in some quick weekend projects. Nothing major, just little details and things that have been sitting on the backburner while we worked on the big things. Last weekend, we installed new outlets and light switches from from the radiant Collection by Legrand. Let me zoom in so you can get a closer look.

Ever since we upgraded the outlets in our kitchen, I have been wanting to make the switch in the rest of the house so it all matches. We started with the main level, in all the spaces that are open to the kitchen (entryway, breakfast nook, dining room, and living room).

I just love the clean, modern look of these switches. The wider paddle looks more contemporary and sleek than a typical toggle switch. And the wall plate has no ugly screws! It's such a nice, simple design.

ALSO, the radiant Collection light switches and outlets fit into existing electrical boxes. So switching to them is a perfect weekend DIY that you can knock out in a couple hours!

Changing your light switches and outlets is an easy and inexpensive way to upgrade your home’s aesthetic. It instantly made our house look a little less builder basic.

Besides the switches, we also got a Wireless Charger, which allows us to charge our phones without plugging them in. Yes, you read that right! All we have to do now is slip the phone into that slot that's off to the side of the outlet. No wires, no need to find the charger, plus it frees up outlet space and space on our tables. And it also has a low-profile, screwless wall plate that looks so clean and pretty.

We're definitely winding down on house projects for 2019, but this one was worth doing! Didn't take much time at all, and I love the new look.

What about you? Do you have any projects you're hustling to finish before the holidays, or are you slowing down for the year?

I received a product sample from Tranquility to review. All opinions are my own.

I'm a blanket person. Even in the summer, I like a lightweight quilt or a linen duvet. And this time of year especially...give me aaalll the cozy throws and fuzzy blankets. It's not just about warmth...blankets give a sense of comfort and security that's necessary for good sleep. But until recently, I had never tried a weighted blanket that's specifically designed to aid sleep. Have you heard of these? Do you have one? They have been shown to help people relax, fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and wake up fully rested. Even for those with trouble sleeping due to stress, anxiety, autism, ADHD, and PTSD! It all sounds very interesting, right? So when Tranquility reached out to me about trying one of their weighted blankets, I was excited (and a little skeptical). Would it live up to the hype?

Honestly, YES. I didn't realize I had any sleep issues, which is part of the reason I hadn't tried out a weighted blanket yet--I didn't think I needed one. But although I fall asleep pretty quickly at night, I wake up to pee every night (multiple times, thanks to pregnancy) and I often have a hard time falling back asleep. I'll toss and turn and my brain will start thinking about everything I need to do the next day. I also have a very hard time falling asleep for naps, for the same reason: I can't seem to shut my brain off (with its never-ending to-do list). I've been so exhausted with pregnancy, I know I should take naps, but I can't fall asleep fast enough to make it worthwhile. The only time I can nap is when my kids nap, and it's hard for me to go straight from busy mom mode to relaxed. By the time I'm finally asleep, they're waking up and I'm like "well THAT was a waste!" The weighted blanket helped me with both issues that I didn't realize I had: falling back asleep in the middle of the night and falling asleep quickly for naps.

The Tranquility Weighted Blanket is securely filled with a combination of recycled polyester fiber fill (manufactured using recycled plastic bottles) and small glass beads. An innovative box-quilt design prevents the fill from shifting, so when you lay underneath it, the blanket applies gentle, evenly distributed pressure across your body. This Deep Touch Pressure Therapy (DTP) mimics the feeling of being held or hugged, to reduce anxiety and give a sense of calm.

Another thing I really like about this Tranquility Weighted Blanket, is that it features a plush top fabric and a cool microfiber underside for comfort. It's very soft, and even has temperature balancing technology that wicks moisture as temperature rises--perfect for those who sleep hot. It also has a removable cover that is machine washable and dryable, making it easy to clean in case of spills!

The dimensions are 48 inches x 72 inches, similar to the size of a throw blanket. That means it's for only one person, which makes sense because you're supposed to pick a blanket that's 7-10% of your body weight--so you and your spouse can each pick the right weight for you. And honestly, it's nice not having to share a blanket!

The other thing I really like about this blanket in particular, is that it's really affordable! Lots of weighted blankets will set you back $100 or more, but this one starts at just under $50.

Another thing I didn't realize is that weighted blankets aren't just for sleep. Consumer reviews reveal that people often use them outside the bedroom: when reading a book on the couch, watching a movie, or even at the office. They can help you relax anytime you're looking to de-stress and unwind.

So I'm curious, have you tried a weighted blanket yet? If so, did you love it? Or not so much? I was skeptical of whether I would really feel any benefits, but now I'm a believer! I'm actually thinking about getting Ben one! These would make great Christmas gifts for anyone in your family or friend circle who has trouble sleeping. They also come in a 6 lb child's size (which should still be 10% of your child's weight, so not for babies!). The adult size is sold at Walmart and Target.

This post is written in partnership with Signature Hardware. All opinions are my own.

There were several decisions in our kitchen remodel that kept me up late at night, googling, reading Houzz forums, and second-guessing myself. But none of them gave me more anxiety than our corner sink! We inherited this sink placement from the original kitchen. The windows are in that corner, so we decided it would make sense to keep the sink there. Sticking with the same basic layout would obviously save us money too. But I kept doubting! This was our opportunity to redesign the kitchen from scratch! Should we have put the sink in the island? Or on the back wall? We could have cut a new window facing the backyard...would that have been better?! I was really nervous, especially after receiving a few comments and DMs from people who have corner sinks that they hate (if one of them was you, I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns and I did take them into consideration). But we forged ahead with the corner sink placement. And now that our kitchen is done, I'm so glad we did! Our corner sink is perfect for our kitchen and needs. We have no regrets (phew)!

But through all my late night googling, I learned why some people hate their corner sinks, and the mistakes to avoid. I also learned why some people love theirs, and the ideas to copy! I've compiled those do's and don'ts, for anyone else considering a corner sink layout. Hope this is helpful!

Corner Sink Do's and Don'ts:

1. Dishwasher placement: In a standard kitchen layout, the dishwasher usually goes next to the sink, to minimize drips while loading dishes. But with a corner sink, if the dishwasher is right next to the sink then you are seriously boxed in when the dishwasher door is open. This was the number one complaint I saw in forums about corner sinks. So DO put a small cabinet between the sink and dishwasher to give yourself room to move while loading dishes. In our case, we used an 18" trash pull-out which works perfectly and is super convenient.

2. Sink cabinet shape: You can either get a "true" corner cabinet shaped like an L, where you're standing in a 90 degree corner, or a corner cabinet on a diagonal, like ours. The L-shaped sinks were universally hated in the forums I read. It's uncomfortable to stand in a sharp corner for a long period of time, and an L-shaped sink makes it difficult to wash large dishes. It could be okay for a secondary prep sink, but in general I would say an L-shaped sink is a DON'T. On the other hand, I think diagonal corner sinks are a DO. There will be some "wasted" counter space behind the sink, but that can be a great spot for plants and herbs, especially if you have windows above. Best of all, a diagonal corner sink actually utilizes the corner, and maximizes a space that's often unused. It also allows for longer stretches of uninterrupted counter space on either side (so important in a small kitchen). And since they're less common, I think corner sinks look striking and unique in the kitchen.

3. Sink cabinet size: Diagonal corner cabinets come in two standard sizes: 36" and 42". This refers to the length along the back wall, from the corner to the edge of the cabinet. Those sizes might sound big, but keep in mind that the front face will be much smaller since corner sink cabinets are shaped like a diamond. On a 36" corner cabinet, the front face is only 17". On a 42" corner cabinet, it's 24". This affects how large of a sink you can fit. We really wanted to maximize the sink size, so we went for the larger 42" size. Either size could work, but DO think about sink size before you order your cabinets.

4. Sink size and setback: A big, deep, single-basin kitchen sink was one of the top items on my kitchen remodel wish list. But how big of a sink could fit in our corner sink cabinet? It was a bit more complicated to figure out, since a corner cabinet is not the same width from front to back. If you want a farmhouse sink, then you can't go any wider than the front face (24" for a 42" corner cabinet). With an undermount or drop-in sink, you can go a little wider since the sink will be set back a few inches. But if you go too big, you'd have to lean forward to turn the faucet on and do dishes--not great for your back. With our 42" corner cabinet, we got a 32" sink and I love it. It's big and deep, easily fits large pots and cookie sheets, and hides all our dirty dishes. But we had to do a 5" setback instead of the standard 3.5". It's still comfortable for me to do dishes, even pregnant (and actually, kind of nice that I don't get water splashed on me as much as before)...but I'm glad we didn't go any bigger. Be careful and DON'T get too big of a sink for your corner sink cabinet.

5. Cleaning: DO be aware...cleaning behind a corner sink is annoying. It's hard to reach back there, especially if you're short like me. On the plus side, water from the sink never hits our backsplash, so we don't have issues with cracking or peeling caulk like we've had in other kitchens. Now that I think about it, that's actually a big "pro" of corner sinks!

Ok, enough about the layout...let's talk about the sink itself, and the faucet we chose. I loooooove them both. Together, they have made one of my least favorite chores (hand washing dishes) almost enjoyable...and that's saying a lot!

Here's what the kitchen looked like when we first bought the house, and what it looks like now. Before, we had a double basin sink that was the same width as this one, but not as deep. I know some people like having a separate side of the sink for drying dishes or whatever, but we never used it that way. The divider was just a huge annoyance, making it hard to wash large dishes and wasting space right in the middle of the sink. We also had a drop-in sink before, and water and gunk would gather around the edges (gross). With an undermount sink, we can just wipe crumbs and water riiight into the sink without hitting a ridge. It's the best! And you know how Ben was worried that with an open layout, our dirty dishes would be on display? Well, a big, deep sink easily hides all those dishes from view when we have people over (shhh, don't tell). I'm actually AMAZED by how many dishes can fit in here!

Our new sink is the Atlas Undermount Sink from Signature Hardware. I looked at a lot of options before deciding on this one! I was looking for something durable, low-maintenance, and good-looking. We cook daily and our kitchen sink gets a lot of use, so we needed something hardworking and resilient. Unlike a fridge or dishwasher that can be upgraded down the road, a sink is not easy to change once the counters are in place, so I definitely took my time making sure we got it right the first time around. I considered lots of different materials, but in the end I really wanted something scratch-proof. This sink is made of Type 304 stainless steel with a 16-gauge thickness (that's top-of-the-line for stainless steel sinks), plus it's treated with a scratch-resistant and liquid-repellent coating that allows imperfections to easily wipe away. It also has sound-dampening pads and an undercoating that prevents the buildup of condensation, so your cabinet stays dry below. And the pewter finish is beautiful!

The faucet was also a huuuge upgrade for us. This kitchen originally had a very builder basic faucet that made it hard to maneuver tall pots under the water. Also, the side sprayer was broken. Needless to say, it is HEAVENLY to have a tall, gooseneck faucet with a pull-down sprayer! We chose The Rhine Single Hole Pull-Down Faucet. The single hole is so easy to clean around, the pull-down sprayer is super convenient and easy-to-use, and the design is clean-lined and beautiful. Solid brass construction and a corrosion-resistant finish give me peace of mind that it'll last for a long, long time.

Ready for one more before & after? I find these so satisfying.

With this kitchen, I tried to balance modern and traditional elements. That's one nice thing about remodeling a cookie cutter builder house. I didn't feel constrained by time period or obligated stick to choices that could've been original. I just went with what I like: a little bit modern, a little bit classic. Once we get the right lighting hung over the island (instead of the old pendant that's there now) I think it'll come together really well! In the meantime, I'm already loving and enjoying this new view.

Well, what you think? Did we make the right call in knocking down the wall? And if you have a corner sink, anything else you'd add to my list of do's and don'ts?

This post is written in collaboration with PinkBlush. All opinions are my own.

This third pregnancy is flyyying by. I'm already in my third trimester!!! 29 weeks tomorrow. It feels simultaneously like "wow, only two and a half months left?!" and "wow...I still have two and a half months left." My body is definitely feeling it more than my previous two pregnancies. Maybe it's because I'm in my 30s now, or maybe it's because I have two kids to chase around (probably). Ian and Emmett are busy and active ALL DAY, which means that I don't get to rest much. My hips and back hurt more than I remember before. But other than that, things are going well! I had a little scare at my 26 week appointment with higher-than-normal blood pressure, swelling in my feet and face, and traces of protein in my pee (all early signs of preeclampsia) but thankfully everything was normal at my last appointment so I'm hoping that was a fluke! I still see swelling but that's common in normal pregnancies too, and it's nothing crazy so I'm trying not to be paranoid.

I've been feeling really sentimental about the fact that Emmett only has a few more months as the baby of the family. I still haven't finished his one year baby book!!! Ahhhh, I need to make that a priority before the new baby comes! I think he's going to love being a big brother (I caught him the other day "changing" his baby doll's diaper, soooo cute)...but I'm nervous about our time and attention being split three ways...and about Ben and I being outnumbered...and about a third row of car seats...and about not having enough arms for all three!!!

Like, this is as easy as it will ever be to hold my three kids. Not looking good for me LOL.

We've always talked about having three or four kids, so this is the first time I've felt like our family might be complete. We're not declaring ourselves "done" yet though. A lot of it depends on the rest of this pregnancy, the birth, and of course how things go once we bring baby girl home. But since this maaaay be my last pregnancy, I've been hesitant to buy a bunch of maternity clothes. Instead, I've been opting for long, stretchy tops that flatter my bump and can also be worn after pregnancy (none of that side ruching business). PinkBlush Maternity has been my go-to since I was pregnant with Ian, and they have honestly never let me down. All their tops and dresses are so comfy, wash well, and have held up beautifully. I also like that they have pictures of the same clothing items on pregnant women and non-pregnant women so I can see if I would still wear it post-baby.

Here are a few of the fall maternity tops I've picked up recently that work well for my pregnant belly and can transition into my regular wardrobe later on: Crochet trim shirt / Charcoal grey cardigan / Purple heathered sweatshirt / Stretchy floral sweatshirt

I honestly don't buy clothes that much, so it's hard for me to justify getting specific "maternity clothes" that can only be worn for a couple more months. Knowing that these tops will still fit after the baby is born, helps me to feel good about them. Yay for clothes that are comfortable, pretty, and versatile! Thank you PinkBlush.